Lady Razorback Museum — Scripts of the Wall of Champions

BY ANDRES FOCIL

The following scripts are the identifying cutlines for the photographs and backdrops in The Wall of Champions.

Missy Allert — SwimmingAn eight-time all-American, Allert dominated the sprints in the early 1990s, setting the school records for the 50 and 100 freestyle.Denise Baez — VolleyballThe first player for the new volleyball team, the former Puerto Rican national team standout was twice named all-SEC and led Arkansas to its first NCAA tournament victory over Rhode Island. A team captain for all three of her seasons, Baez became a successful Division I assistant coach immediately after graduation from Arkansas.Brandy Brown — TennisThe Warren, Ark., product did something no other Lady Razorback could for 14 years — tie Beth Wagner’s mark of 107 career singles victories. A 1998 all-SEC pick, Brown collected her 107th in the championship match of the 1998 NCAA South Regionals.Brittany Burns — SoccerThe Conway, Ark., standout was voted all-tournament at the 1996 SECs. She and her teammates captured the 1996 SEC Western Division title and came within a goal of winning the 1996 SEC Tournament. The 3-2 overtime match with Florida remains one of the greatest in SEC tournament history.Jen Cirigliano — SoftballAn all-SEC pick as a freshman, this Moreno Valley, Calif., power hitter has played catcher and first base for the Lady’Backs.

Mark and Rene Cook — Gymnastics Co-Head CoachesFormer Stanford coaches Mark and René Cook jumped at the chance to start the first gymnastics program at a major university in recent memory. The duo that led the Cardinal to a pair of Pac-10 champions also became the first co-head coaches in Arkansas history. In the inaugural season, the Coaches Cook guided a team of all freshmen which broke into the top 25, barely missed NCAA Regionals and ranked fourth in the nation in attendance. By year two, the Cooks had Arkansas ranked as high as the top 10 and at its first NCAA Regional. Both have championship backgrounds. René was a collegiate conference champion as a gymnast and coach. Joining Mark as his assistant at Stanford, she produced the nation’s No. 1 ranked beam team in 2001. Mark was one of the nation’s top club coaches before moving into the college ranks as an assistant at UCLA. Helping the Bruins to a national runner-up finish in 1996 and NCAA title in 1997, he became the head coach at Stanford in 1998.

Johanna Danielsson — GolfOne of Arkansas’ top recruits, the Ljungby, Sweden, native was one of the first Lady’Back golfers to card a top 10 finish with her sixth place at the CSU-Ram Fall Classic in 1997.Delmonica DeHorney — BasketballArkansas first Kodak All-American, DeHorney led the Lady’Backs into the history books. A two-time SWC Player of the Year and SWC Newcomer of the Year, she was the only player in SWC history to earn three conference honors. The Poteau, Okla., product led Arkansas to the 1990 NCAA West Region Finals and the 1991 NCAA Sweet 16. She led Arkansas in points, rebounds and blocks the night the Lady’Backs ended the longest conference winning streak in women’s basketball history with an 82-77 win at Texas.Bettye Fiscus — BasketballThe first woman inducted into the Arkansas Hall of Honor, this Wynne, Ark., native set the school record for points scored in a career — male or female. NBA star Todd Day finally broke her mark, but her 2,073 points and 18.5 ppg average remain the Lady Razorback records. Her jersey — No. 5 — was the first retired at the University.Jessica Field — VolleyballArkansas’ first AVCA all-American, Field dominated competition her junior and senior seasons for the Lady’Backs, a combined 59-12. The Hermann, Mo., middle blocker broke all the UA and SEC records for blocks — solo, assist and total — during her career. In addition to her AVCA honors, she became the first Arkansas athlete to receive the prestigious H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar Athlete Award from the SEC.Megan Flowers – Cross Country/TrackThis Fort Worth, Texas, distance runner became the Lady’Backs first 10-time all-American and was twice voted SEC Cross Country Athlete of the Year.Robin Ford — SwimmingNot only a two-time NCAA champion diver, Ford was a key member of one of Arkansas’ finest teams. Her stunning 482.45 points to capture the 1983 one-meter title helped Arkansas to a 15th place team finish. The Metarie, La., native took the three-meter championship at the 1985 NCAAs.

Susie Gardner – Baskeball CoachA NCAA Tournament participant at every level of her career, Susie Gardner became Arkansas’ sixth women’s basketball coach in 2003. A two-time Final Four guard for Georgia, she joined UA after leading Austin Peay from the bottom to dominance of the Ohio Valley, including three NCAA berths.

Anne Goodman James – Swimming CoachOne of the most respected coaches in collegiate swimming, Anne Goodman James is the past president of the College Swimming Coaches Association of America and was a two-time national coach of the year. During her career at Texas Tech, Northern Michigan and Arkansas, she has coached over 80 all-Americans and almost 30 national champions.Karen Gorham — SwimmingSimply the finest diver of her time, Karen Gorham established Arkansas as a national power on the boards with her sweep of the AIAW and U.S. Diving titles. A five-time all-American, she was named the national diver of the year her freshman season at Arkansas. She also won the World Age Group Championships.

Micheal Hegarty – Tennis CoachJoining Arkansas in 2003-04, Michael Hegarty was a part of top 25 programs as a head coach at Fresno State and an assistant coach at Florida. Arkansas’ seventh women’s head coach, Hegarty was a player at Auburn and in the professional ranks before becoming a college coach.

Gordon Henderson – Soccer CoachA builder of programs, Gordon Henderson is the sixth head coach for the Arkansas soccer program. He began creating a culture for success with the Lady Razorbacks in 2004.

Kelley Hester – Golf CoachThe former head coach at UNLV and Mercer, Kelley Hester became Arkansas women’s golf coach in 2002. Considered one of the top young coaches in the country, Hester has a strong Southeastern Conference connection as a former all-SEC player at Georgia.

Lance Harter – Cross CountryTrack and Field CoachA true developer of talent, Harter’s teams have captured 22 NCAA trophies during his 20-year coaching career. Coaching over 75 cross country and 240 track all-Americans at Cal Poly-SLO and Arkansas, harter was the USA assistant track coach at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and is the USAT&F head coach for the 1999 World Championships.LaShawn Haythe – Track & FieldArkansas greatest sprinter during the Southwest Conference days, Haythe is shown capturing the 1990 SWC 55 meter title.Mary Howard — SoccerArkansas’ first great goal scorer, Howard was explosive, a fact best captured by her school mark for career hat tricks and most goals in a single game.Chin Bee Khoo — TennisOne of the most successful singles players in Arkansas history, Chin Bee Khoo was the first multiple all-American. A three year standout at No. 1, Khoo led the Lady Razorbacks to their first NCAA Tournament round appearance in 1998 and to three NCAA team bids. An outstanding student, she was also selected as the honoree at the 2001 Red Tie Banquet Salute to Excellence.Bev Lewis – Cross Country/TrackAthletic DirectorArkansas’ head track & cross country coach for nine seasons, Lewis established the Lady’Backs as a national power with top 10 finishes and UA’s first women’s conference title. Along with numerous coach of the year honors, Lewis served as the head coach for Team USA at the 1990 World Cross Country Championships. Lewis became the University’s Director of Women’s Athletics in 1989 and was voted into the Razorback Hall of Honor in 1998.

Melissa Leigh – GymnasticsIn Arkansas’ second season of gymnastics, Melissa Leigh became the first Gym’Back to earn all-Southeastern Conference honors. The Orlando, Fla., sophomore was named second-team all-SEC for her performance on the uneven bars at the 2004 league championship.

Honey Marsh — SoccerVoted the SEC’s first soccer player of the year, Marsh also was the MVP of the first SEC Tournament. A two-time all-SEC pick, she was also voted NCAA Woman of the Year for the state of Arkansas in 1995 and all-region twice by the nation’s college coaches.Cheryl McArton — SwimmingThe Lady’Backs’ first Olympian, the Canadian swam on her country’s 400-meter relay team at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. At Arkansas, she set six school records, a few of which still stand. Her all-American accolades came in the relays, the 200 freestyle in 1985, the 400 freestyle in 1988 and the 200 medley also in 1988.Sytia Messer — BasketballThe MVP of the 1998 NCAA West Regional, this Waldo, Ark., guard set the school record for consecutive games played, 128. An all-tournament pick in the 1999 Women’s NIT, her teams made three postseason appearances with an impressive tournament record of 10-3.Cynthia Moore – Track & FieldA four-time all-American, the El Dorado, Ark., native redefined the jump records at Arkansas. Not only the 1990 NCAA Indoor triple jump runner-up, Moore was voted NCAA Woman of the Year in 1991.

Mandy Moran — Swimming & DivingThe three-meter national champion runner-up in 2004, Moran became the first UA diver in a generation to score a triple all-America performance at the NCAA meet. A four-time all-American, her 2004 effort qualified her for Dive Canada prior to the Athens Olympics.

Adrienne Mucci — GolfThe first medalist in Arkansas golf history, the Corpus Christi, Texas, product carded a 147 to take the Pepperdine Wave Invitational.Molly Myers — SoccerThe Colorado Springs, Colo., keeper set the standard with more shutouts, saves and the best goals against average for a career.Amber Nicholas — BasketballThe career leader in assists at Arkansas, no point guard has matched her team’s run of back-to-back conference titles and three consecutive NCAA appearances. The only 1,000 point-500 assist Lady’Back, this Newark, Ark., native was all-SWC and the 1991 SWC Tournament MVP. A complete player, she was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American, was NCAA Woman of the Year for the state of Arkansas and received an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.Krystal Osborne — VolleyballThe MVP of the 1997 SEC Tournament, Osborne’s inspired play led Arkansas to a 3-0 upset of Florida for the conference title. Her flamboyant attacks gave Arkansas unmatched power on the left side. The Las Vegas, Nev., hitter established the school record for kills with 2,185 and ranked top 10 in NCAA history.Diann Ousley – Track & FieldArkansas’ first track national champion, this Blytheville, Ark., native captured the 1979 National Indoor Championship title in the 600 meters and anchored the third-place mile relay.Jamie Park – Cross Country/TrackThe Lady’Backs first outdoor champion, the Santa Barbara, Calif., star stunned the field at the 1991 NCAA Championships by capturing the 10,000 meter title.Maria Pavlidou — TennisMaria Pavlidou’s arrival in the mid-1990s marked a new level of achievement for one of Arkansas’ strongest programs. Closing her career tied as Arkansas’ all-time leader with 107 wins in singles play, she led the Lady’Backs to their finest finishes in the SEC, NCAA and ITA rankings. Along with four straight NCAA team bids, Pavildou was the first Lady’Back individual participant at the NCAA singles championship. She made three consecutive NCAA singles appearances, including earning the first all-America honors at Arkansas for her impressive run during the 1999 championship.Trine Pilskog – Cross Country/TrackNot only a NCAA Champion in the Indoor Mile, Pilskog broke the Norwegian national record during her two years at Arkansas.

Jamie Pinkerton – Softball CoachJoining Arkansas in 2004-05, Jamie Pinkerton had a record of building and rebuilding programs as an assistant and head coach. Prior to Arkansas, he led Tulsa to its first winning seasons and left TU as the winningest coach in program history.

Chris Poole – Volleyball CoachWhen the Heber Springs, Ark., native accepted the coaching job that he’d always wanted, no one would have dreamed how successful he would become. Highly successful in his previous head coaching positions, Poole built Arkansas into a winner from the first season in 1994. Poole’s Lady Razorbacks have dominated the SEC Western Division, capturing a piece of all five titles and four outright. When his peers in the SEC voted him Coach of the Year in 1994, it marked the fourth conference to bestow him that honor.Tina Rico — VolleyballTop 10 in NCAA history, this Las Vegas, Nev., setter ranked second on the SEC career lists with her 5,886 assists. A two-time all-SEC first team pick and three-time all-SEC academic team, Rico guided Arkansas to four straight SEC Western Division titles.Jody Rittenhouse – Cross Country/TrackConsidered the Queen of the Mile during the late 1970s at Arkansas, Rittenhouse was the first in a long tradition of top distance runners. As a freshman, she was 19th in the nation in cross country and the national runner-up for the indoor mile.Aly Sartini — SoftballJunior second baseman Aly Sartini completes a double play.Sarah Schwald – Cross Country/TrackThe eight-time all-American was the 1995 NCAA Indoor 3,000 meter champion and set the UA record with her 9:06.30.Kim Storey — VolleyballArkansas second AVCA all-American, the Bellevue, Neb., middle blocker paced Arkansas’ run to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 1998. She was voted at the 1998 NCAA East Regional and was the second player in school history to go over 1,000 kills in a season.Melody Sye – Cross Country/TrackThe first female track athlete placed in the Razorback Hall of Honor, Sye powered the Lady’Backs to their first NCAA top 10 finish in track and Arkansas’ first conference title in any women’s sport. When her career ended in the late 80s, the Ocean City, N.J., product held almost every UA record from 800 to 3,000 meters.Joanne Varnum — TennisArkansas’ top player of the SWC era, the Colorado Springs, Colo., player became the first Lady’Back to earn a top 50 collegiate computer ranking. Her 1990 season remains the best winning percentage in school history, 88.4%, as she was voted all-SWC.Shelly Wallace — BasketballThe only Lady’Back to go over 1,000 rebounds in a career, the Bakersfield, Calif., forward was one of only two in SWC history. Her career follows Arkansas early rise on the national scene, playing as a freshman on the Lady’Backs’ first NCAA team in 1986. She was part of the 1987 NWIT Championship and a senior on the 1988 NCAA team. More than a rebounder, the Kodak All-America honorable mention holds the school record for points in a game with 44 and the most games over 30 points in a career.Beth Wagner & Kellie Chase — TennisWagner and Chase were synonymous with the golden age of Lady’Back tennis in the early 1980s. They finished their careers one-two on the singles victory list and as the top doubles team of all time. They powered Arkansas to a ninth place team finish at the 1982 AIAW Championship. As a doubles team, they reached the AIAW semifinals in 1982. Wagner & Chase followed it up with back-to-back trips to the NCAA Championships in 1983 and 1984. Wagner from Arlington Heights, Ill., set the mark for career singles wins at 107 which stood until 1998 when Brandy Brown tied her mark. Chase from Santa Monica, Calif., remains the greatest doubles partner at Arkansas: 60 wins with Wagner plus another 73 paired with Trisha Shaw or Lori Zacharias.Tracy Webb — BasketballThe MVP of the 1987 NWIT, this Batesville, Ark., point guard set the career record for steals at Arkansas.Tiffany Woolley — SoftballA Chancellor’s Scholar, Wooley typifies the youth and excitement of the Lady Razorback softball team.Amy Yoder – Cross Country/TrackWith her double in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters at the 1999 SEC Outdoor Championship, the Kendallville, Ind., distance runner became the winningest Lady’Back with her 10th conference title. An incredibly versatile athlete, Yoder has won SEC titles from the 1,500 meters to the 10,000 meters. The 1998 Commissioner’s Trophy winner at the SEC Indoor Championship, Yoder headed into the 1999-200 season as a nine-time all-American. Yoder was third in the nation at the 1998 NCAA Cross Country Championships and is the two-time defending SEC cross country champion.EDITOR’S NOTE – Since the museum opening last fall, Yoder became the all-time leader for all-America honors and the NCAA Indoor 5,000 meter champion in 2000. The 14 all-American became the first-ever three-peat SEC women’s cross country champion and received the Honda Sports Award as the nation’s top cross country female. Concluding her cross country career in 1999, Yoder has one more season of track in 2001.